Last month, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) launched, giving people easier access to crisis counseling, resource referrals, and additional support through an easy-to-remember number.
People can call, text, or chat 988 and be connected to trained counselors at more than 180 accredited crisis centers across the country. The counselors will listen, understand how problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to additional resources.
Kansas City-area callers will be forwarded to Compare in Missouri and Johnson County Crisis Line in Kansas.
988 fast facts:
- Confidential, free, and available 24/7/365
- Accessible via land line, cell phone, and voice-over internet device
- Connects people experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis with trained crisis counselors
- Call services are available in Spanish, along with interpretation services in more than 150 languages
Blue KC and the Kansas City Royals support 988 on Lifeline Day at the K
Blue KC provided local support of the 988 Lifeline on July 23 at Lifeline Day at the K. Together with the Royals, Carl’s Cause, and other local mental health organizations, Blue KC talked to fans and handed out mental health resources. Watch!
Lifeline Day was a natural next step for Blue KC and the Royals. The two organizations already partner on Shut Out the Stigma, an initiative to remove the stigma of mental health. One shutout inning at a time, Shut Out the Stigma raises awareness and donates to organizations that focus on mental health through participation in youth sports. As of the end of July, Shut Out the Stigma has donated $13,470 to local organizations in 2022.
Make mental health an ongoing conversation with your clients
Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use often go untreated. Blue KC is on a mission to help change that. And you can too by having ongoing conversations with clients about mental health resources included in their Blue KC plans, like services offered through Mindful by Blue KC, and community resources like the 988 Lifeline.
For more information, visit MindfulBlueKC.com or 988lifeline.org.